Method of utilizing air waves for aural kinesitherapy



Patented July 24, 1928.

;. eases BYRON E. nLnnnn, or new YORK, 1v. ,Y.

ME'rrron or u'rinrarne stew-evesnonhuman KINESITHERAPY.

N 0 Drawing.

This invention relates to a method for utilizing air-waves for aural kinesitherapy. The'method consists in producing and emitting into the surrounding space a continuous and sustained succession of rhythmical air waves of suitable pitch and amplitude but preferably of not pronounced tonal quality for the human'ear whereby the ears of per sons of difficult hearing within the influences of these waves are rendered more sensitive to normal sounds My method is useful not only (1) in enabling more or less deaf persons to hear sounds or speech of normal lntenslty while they are within the influence of such waves,

but (2) also for improving the audition of some classes of deaf persons by repeated. subjection to the influence of such sensitizing waves.

It is to this latter form of the invention that the present application relates, the first form being claimed in my earlier application Serial No. 755,077, filed Dec. 10, 1924, of which this present application is a continuation in part,

In practicing the form of the invention now claimed, I do not wish to limit myself to the use of inaudible frequencies in the carrying out of my invention, as certain audible frequencies, especially those approaching the limits of audibility, will be found to be quite satisfactory. The adjustment of amplitude is more important than the adjustment of frequency.

It is, however, desirable to use a wave which has little or no tonal quality for the human ear, because such a wave effects no auditory nerve response and for that reason may be applied with the desired strength or amplitude without causing nervefatigue.

When I use an audible frequency wave, I.

dcsignedly employ onewhich is audible with difiiculty, because a wave which furnishes vibrations causing auditory nerve response and when sustained for the period of several minutes may cause auditory nerve fatigue and ear discomfort. This is absent in the soundless vibration or one that is comparatively devoid of tonal quality. Frequencies well outside the normal useful range, or ap proaching the limits, may be employed with A high amplitude without fatigue. Vibrations of the lower range of frequencies are less irritating and penetrating than. those ofhigher range.

According to the present invention I have Application filed 11115 7, 1927/ seria No. 204,148."

cal sensitizing wave shall be of substantially simple harmonic character, or one which is asfree as possible from other wavesofdif ferent frequency compounded therewith. Forthe purposes of the present case, I term waves havingJ-the characteristics above dc scrbed, harmonious waves. j T The mechanical effect of such a continued rhythmical air wave on theflear druin is a succession of pressureincrements and decre ments. Obviously, waves other than of'pure-J ly sinusoidal form. will produce the same general effect of applying force to the eardrum by a continued series of gradual increments and decrements.

According to this invention, therefore, the harmonious sensitizing waveis kept as free as possible from compoundedstaccato or disturbing waves. When persons of difficult hearing are sub1ected to'this purer form ofwave of suflicient amplitude for one or more periods oftime, their ability to hear under ordinary conditions may be improved and often persists for hours or eVen daysQ To produce this effect, the waves must be of suiiicient amplitude or force producing effect to have the desired effect on the mechanism of the ear, and the amplitude of such wavescan easily be determined by experiment and can readily be controlled either by regulating the apparatus which produces substantially pure wave of the hind above I referred to may be used.

My method operates to effect; the passive manipulation of the mobile parts of the ear to a regula-ble and controllable degree, which Hit) is predetermined by the amplitude of the vibration of the harmonioussensitizing wave. 1 In the practice of my invention I have found that the amplitude of. the waves required is much greater than the amplitude of the waves which would produce ordinary sounds loud enough to be heard Without discomfort. In other words if Waves Well Within the nor mal audible range Were emitted With amplitudes such as I use, the result would be an ear distressing noise. As the excursion of the mobile parts of the ear is a direct function of the application of the force of the vibration imparted to the drum skin it will be evident that my method provides means for bringing about abnormal excursion Without corresponding auditory nerve stimulus. Which would otherwise be not only distressingbut dangerous: :Eor'eimmple this condition of abnormally strong air Wave vibrations of audible frequency brings about what is commonly known as boiler makers deafness among the workers in boiler shops.

I may employ a major vibration which in itself supplies the desired force with corresponding reaction to bring about the desired result, having combined therewith a vibration of distinct tonal quality but of low amplitude. The combined vibrations efl'ect auditory nerve stimulus to a degree equal to or even less than could the low amplitude vibration if present alone and not combined with a major vibration. The combinationof such. a distinctly minor vibration With the major vibration in-no way defeats the purpose and effect of the major vibration, as I employ it.

The combining of a distinctly minor amtion, and provides the efiect of applying force to the ear drum in a continued series of gradual increments and decrements.

I claim: I i

A method of utilizing air Waves for aural kinesitherapy which consists in emitting into surrounding space a continuous and sus tained succession of airwaves characterized by their harmonious Wave form and of such force producing characteristics as to cause pressure variations greater than those oc curring in ordinary sounds, said Waves having a. frequency adjacent the marginal fre quency of the audible range.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature BYRON E. ELDRED 

